Mid-Morning Market Update: Markets Open Higher; FactSet Misses Q4 Views

Following the market opening Tuesday, the Dow traded up 0.50 percent to 18,185.64 while the NASDAQ climbed 0.65 percent to 5,291.78. The S&P also rose, gaining 0.39 percent to 2,154.48.

Leading and Lagging Sectors

Tuesday morning, technology shares gained 0.75 percent. Meanwhile, top gainers in the sector included SYNNEX Corporation SNX, and Canadian Solar Inc. CSIQ.

In trading on Tuesday, energy shares tumbled by 0.64 percent. Meanwhile, top losers in the sector included Sunoco Logistics Partners L.P. SXL, down 6 percent, and Chesapeake Energy Corporation CHK, down 6 percent.

Top Headline

FactSet Research Systems Inc. FDS reported weaker-than-expected results for the fourth quarter.

The company reported adjusted net income of $68.61 million, or $1.69 a share, up from $63.25 million, or $1.48 a share, in the year-ago quarter. This is short by a penny from $1.70 EPS estimated by the Street.

FactSet delivered revenue of $287.29 million compared to $261.78 million representing an increase of 9.7 percent. However, this fell short of analysts' predictions of $290.43 million.

Equities Trading UP

EndoChoice Holdings Inc GI shares shot up 90 percent to $8.00 as the company agreed to be acquired by Boston Scientific Corporation BSX for $8 per share in cash.

Shares of SYNNEX Corporation SNX got a boost, shooting up 10 percent to $116.77 after the company reported upbeat earnings for its third quarter and issued a strong forecast for the current quarter. The company also raised its quarterly dividend by 25 percent, to $0.25 per share.

Kite Pharma Inc KITE shares were also up, gaining 9 percent to $59.84 after the company announced impressive results for its Phase 1/2 clinical trial for KTE-C19 in diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

Equities Trading DOWN

Rice Energy Inc RICE shares dropped 7 percent to $25.29. Rice Energy priced its 40 million share offering at $25.50 per share and announced the acquisition of Vantage Energy for $2.7 billion.

Shares of Vanguard Natural Resources, LLC VNR were down 14 percent to $0.870. Hilliard Lyons downgraded Vanguard Natural from Buy to Neutral.

Caesars Entertainment Corp CZR was down, falling around 9 percent to $8.61. aesars Entertainment and Caesars Entertainment Operating Co. announced key economic terms of proposed consensual restructuring plan for CEOC.

Commodities

In commodity news, oil traded down 2.42 percent to $44.82 while gold traded down 0.88 percent to $1,332.30.

Silver traded down 1.66 percent Tuesday to $19.27, while copper fell 1.32 percent to $2.17.

Eurozone

European shares were lower today. The eurozone’s STOXX 600 dropped 0.64 percent, the Spanish Ibex Index fell 0.85 percent, while Italy’s FTSE MIB Index tumbled 1.18 percent. Meanwhile the German DAX declined 1.11 percent, and the French CAC 40 declined 0.94 percent while U.K. shares fell 0.50 percent.

Economics

The Johnson Redbook Retail Sales Index declined 0.5 percent during the first four weeks of September versus August.

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index was unchanged in July. However, economists were expecting a 0.1 percent drop.

The Markit services PMI gained to 51.90 in September, versus a prior reading of 5100. Economists projected a reading of 51.10.

The Conference Board’s Consumer Confidence Index increased to 104.10 in September, versus a prior reading of 101.10. Economists were expecting a reading of 99.00.

The Richmond Fed's manufacturing index rose to -8.00 in September, versus a previous reading of -11.00. Economists estimated a reading of -2.00.

Federal Reserve Board Vice Chair Stanley Fischer will speak in Washington, D.C. at 11:15 a.m. ET.

The Treasury is set to auction 4-week bills at 11:30 a.m. ET.

The Treasury will auction 5-year notes at 1:00 p.m. ET.